US9770253B2 - Surgical forceps - Google Patents

Abstract

A forceps includes a disposable shaft and a reusable shaft. The shafts each including a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. The shafts are releasably coupled to one another about a pivot and are moveable relative to one another for moving the jaw members between an open position and a closed position. The disposable shaft includes a first tissue sealing plate disposed thereon and an electrical connector coupled thereto that includes a plurality of wires extending therethrough and into the disposable shaft member. One or more wires is coupled to the first tissue sealing plate and one or more wires is coupled to a second tissue sealing plate that is configured for releasable engagement with the jaw member of the reusable shaft member. The tissue sealing plates are adapted to conduct energy through tissue for sealing tissue grasped between the jaw members.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/205,999, filed on Aug. 9, 2011, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to surgical instruments and, more particularly, to surgical forceps for grasping, sealing and/or dividing tissue.

Background of Related Art

A forceps is a plier-like instrument which relies on mechanical action between its jaws to grasp, clamp and constrict vessels or tissue. Electrosurgical forceps utilize both mechanical clamping action and electrical energy to affect hemostasis by heating tissue and blood vessels to coagulate and/or cauterize tissue. Certain surgical procedures require more than simply cauterizing tissue and rely on the unique combination of clamping pressure, precise electrosurgical energy control and gap distance (i.e., distance between opposing jaw members when closed about tissue) to “seal” tissue, vessels and certain vascular bundles. Typically, once a vessel is sealed, the surgeon has to accurately sever the vessel along the newly formed tissue seal. Accordingly, many vessel sealing instruments have been designed which incorporate a knife or blade member which effectively severs the tissue after forming a tissue seal.

Generally, surgical instruments, including forceps, can be classified as single-use instruments, e.g., instruments that are discarded after a single use, partially-reusable instruments, e.g., instruments including both disposable portions and portions that are sterilizable for reuse, and completely reusable instruments, e.g., instruments that are completely sterilizable for repeated use. As can be appreciated, those instruments (or components of instruments) that can be sterilized and reused help reduce the costs associated with the particular surgical procedure for which they are used. However, although reusable surgical instruments are cost-effective, it is important that these instruments be capable of performing the same functions as their disposable counterparts and that any disposable components of these instruments be efficiently removable and replaceable with new components.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a forceps is provided. The forceps includes a disposable shaft member and a reusable shaft member. The shaft members each include a jaw member disposed at the distal end thereof. The shaft members are releasably coupled to one another about a pivot and are moveable relative to one another between, e.g., between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position, for moving the jaw members between an open position and a closed position for grasping tissue therebetween. The disposable shaft member includes a first electrically-conductive tissue sealing plate disposed on the jaw member thereof. An electrical connector is coupled to the disposable shaft member. The electrical connector is adapted to connect to a source of energy and includes a plurality of wires extending therethrough and into the disposable shaft member. One or more of the wires extend through the disposable shaft member to electrically couple to the first electrically-conductive tissue sealing plate and one or more of the wires extend through the disposable shaft member and therefrom to couple to a second electrically-conductive tissue sealing plate that is configured for releasable engagement with the jaw member of the reusable shaft member. The electrically-conductive tissue sealing plates are adapted to conduct energy, e.g., from the source of energy via the wires, through tissue for sealing tissue grasped between the jaw members.

In one embodiment, the disposable shaft member includes a knife assembly disposed therein. The knife assembly includes a knife blade that is translatable between a retracted position, wherein the knife blade is disposed within the disposable shaft member, and an extended position, wherein the knife blade extends between the jaw members to cut tissue grasped therebetween.

In another embodiment, a trigger assembly is operably coupled to the disposable shaft member. The trigger assembly includes a trigger extending from the disposable shaft member that is selectively movable between a first position and a second position to translate the knife blade between the retracted position and the extended position.

In yet another embodiment, the disposable shaft member further includes an activation assembly operably coupled to one or more of the wires extending therethrough. The activation assembly includes an activation switch operably coupled to the disposable shaft member that is selectively actuatable to supply energy to the electrically conductive tissue sealing plates.

In still another embodiment, the second electrically-conductive tissue sealing plate is disposed on an insulative component. The insulative component, in turn, is configured to releasably engage a jaw frame of the jaw member of the reusable shaft such that the jaw frame of the reusable shaft and the second electrically-conductive tissue sealing plate are electrically insulated from one another.

Another embodiment of a forceps provided in accordance with the present disclosure includes first and second shaft members, each of which includes a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. The shaft members are releasably coupled to one another about a pivot pin and are moveable relative to one another, e.g., between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position, for moving the jaw members between an open position and a closed position for grasping tissue therebetween. One or both of the shaft members includes an aperture defined transversely therethrough that is configured to receive the pivot pin therethrough for coupling the first and second shaft members to one another. The pivot pin includes a hub disposed at a first end thereof and a pair of legs extending from the hub. The legs are coupled to one another via a living hinge and are biased towards a spaced-apart position. Each of the legs includes an outwardly-extending tab disposed at the free end thereof. The legs are moveable relative to one another from the spaced-apart position to a closer position for insertion of the pivot pin through the aperture(s) of the shaft member(s). Once inserted through the aperture of the shaft member, the legs are biased back towards the spaced-apart position such that the pivot pin pivotably engages the shaft members to one another between the hub and the outwardly-extending tabs thereof.

In one embodiment, the pivot pin is fixedly engaged to one of the shaft members. Alternatively, the pivot pin may be removably insertable through apertures defined within each of the shaft members.

In another embodiment, one of the shaft members is disposable and the other shaft member is reusable. The disposable shaft member may include a knife assembly, trigger assembly, and/or an activation assembly, similarly as described in the previous embodiments.

Still another embodiment of a forceps provided in accordance with the present disclosure includes first and second shaft members, each of which includes a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. The shaft members are removably coupled to one another about a pivot pin. One or both of the shaft members includes an aperture extending transversely therethrough that is shaped complementarily to the pivot pin and is configured to receive the pivot pin therethrough. The shaft members are moveable relative to one another between an unlocked position, wherein the aperture(s) is oriented to permit insertion of the pivot pin therethrough and removal of the pivot pin therefrom for engaging and disengaging, respectively, the shaft members from one another, and a locked position, wherein the aperture(s) is oriented to inhibit removal of the pivot pin therefrom to lock the shaft members in pivotable engagement with one another. In the locked position, the shaft members are moveable relative to one another for moving the jaw members between an open position and a closed position for grasping tissue therebetween.

In one embodiment, in the unlocked position, the shaft members are disposed in substantially transverse relation relative to one another. The forceps may otherwise be configured similarly to any of the embodiments above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1A is a side view of a forceps provided in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure wherein jaw members of the forceps are disposed in an open configuration;

FIG. 1B is a side view of the forceps ofFIG. 1A wherein the jaw members are disposed in a closed configuration;

FIG. 2 is a side, cross-sectional view of one of the shaft members of the forceps ofFIG. 1A;

FIG. 3 is an exploded, side, perspective view of the other shaft member of the forceps ofFIG. 1A;

FIG. 4A is transverse, cross-sectional view of one embodiment of shaft members configured for use with the forceps ofFIG. 1A, wherein the shaft members are disengaged from one another;

FIG. 4B is a transverse, cross-sectional view of the shaft members ofFIG. 4A during engagement to one another via a pivot pin extending from one of the shaft members;

FIG. 4C is a transverse, cross-sectional view of the shaft members ofFIG. 4A engaged to one another via the pivot pin;

FIG. 5A is transverse, cross-sectional view of another embodiment of shaft members configured for use with the forceps ofFIG. 1A, wherein the shaft members are disengaged from one another;

FIG. 5B is a transverse, cross-sectional view of the shaft members ofFIG. 5A shown including a pivot pin being inserted therethrough to engage the shaft members to one another;

FIG. 5C is a transverse, cross-sectional view of the shaft members ofFIG. 5A shown engaged to one another via the pivot pin;

FIG. 6A is an exploded, side view of another embodiment of shaft members configured for use with the forceps ofFIG. 1A;

FIG. 6B is a side view of the shaft members ofFIG. 6A shown in an unlocked position for engaging and/or disengaging the shaft members to one another;

FIG. 6C is a side view of the shaft members ofFIG. 6A shown in a locked position;

FIG. 7A is a side view of another embodiment of a shaft member including an engagement pin extending therefrom;

FIG. 7B is top view of the shaft member ofFIG. 7A; and

FIG. 7C is a side view of a shaft member including an engagement aperture configured to receive the engagement pin of the shaft member ofFIG. 7A to engage the shaft members to one another.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail with reference to the drawing figures wherein like reference numerals identify similar or identical elements. As used herein, the term “distal” refers to the portion that is being described which is further from a user, while the term “proximal” refers to the portion that is being described which is closer to a user.

Referring initially toFIGS. 1A and 1B, aforceps10 is shown including twoelongated shaft members12aand12beach having adistal end14aand14band aproximal end16aand16b, respectively.End effector assembly100, including opposingjaw members110,120, is attached to distal ends14aand14bofshaft members12aand12b, respectively. Apivot pin150 is interdisposed betweenshaft members12a,12band therespective jaw members110,120 thereof such thatshaft members12a,12bmay be pivoted relative to one another between a spaced-apart position (FIG. 1A) and an approximated position (FIG. 1B) to effect movement ofjaw members110,120 relative to one another between an open position (FIG. 1A) and a closed position (FIG. 1B), respectively, for grasping tissue therebetween.

Jaw members110,120 ofend effector assembly100 each include ajaw frame112,122 that is fixedly engaged to therespective shaft member12a,12band an opposed electrically-conductivetissue sealing plate114,124, respectively, disposed on therespective jaw frame112,122. One or both of electrically-conductivetissue sealing plates114,124 ofjaw members110,120, respectively, are adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy for conducting energy through tissue to seal tissue grasped betweenjaw members110,120.

With continued reference toFIGS. 1A and 1B, eachshaft member12aand12bincludes ahandle17aand17bdisposed at theproximal end16aand16bthereof. Each handle17aand17bdefines afinger hole18aand18btherethrough for receiving a finger of the user. As can be appreciated, finger holes18aand18bfacilitate movement ofshaft members12aand12brelative to one another between the spaced-apart and approximated positions which, in turn, pivotsjaw members110 and120 between the open position (FIG. 1A) and the closed position (FIG. 1B).

Shaft members12a,12bare releasably coupled to one another, e.g., via decoupling one or both ofshaft members12a,12bfrompivot pin150, such that one of the shaft members, e.g.,shaft member12a, may be disposed of and replaced with anew shaft member12a, while the other shaft member, e.g.,shaft member12b, may be sterilized and/or otherwise treated in preparation for re-use. Accordingly, as will be described in greater detail below, each of theshaft members12a,12bincludes different components and features suitable for the specific configuration, e.g., disposable or reusable, of theshaft member12a,12b.

Referring now toFIG. 2, in conjunction withFIGS. 1A-1B,shaft member12ais shown.Shaft member12ais configured as a disposable component that is to be disposed of and replaced with a newdisposable shaft member12aafter each use, or each surgical procedure.Shaft member12aincludes anouter housing13athat may be formed from plastic or other suitable material.Outer housing13ahouses the internal working components ofshaft member12a.Shaft member12afurther includes an aperture160 (FIGS. 5A-5B) extending transversely therethrough adjacentdistal end14athereof that is configured to receivepivot pin150 therethrough for pivotably coupling shaft member12 andshaft member12bto one another.Pivot pin150 may be removably coupled within aperture160 (FIGS. 5A-5B) defined throughshaft member12a, or may be fixedly secured therein for releasable coupling withshaft member12bto permit pivoting ofshaft member12brelative toshaft member12aandpivot pin150 from the spaced-apart position (FIG. 1A) to the approximated position (FIG. 1B) for movingjaw members110,120 between the open and closed positions, respectively.

Aproximal shaft connector19aextends proximally fromouter housing13aofshaft member12a.Proximal shaft connector19ais designed to connect theforceps10 to a source of electrosurgical energy such as an electrosurgical generator (not shown). More specifically,proximal shaft connector19asecures anelectrosurgical cable210 to theforceps10 such that the user may selectively apply electrosurgical energy totissue sealing plates114,124 ofjaw members110,120, respectively, e.g., via actuation ofactivation switch92 of activation assembly90 (seeFIG. 1A), to seal tissue grasped therebetween.

Electrosurgical cable210 includes one ormore wires220,222 extending therethrough that extend intoouter housing13aofshaft member12a. Onemore wires220,222 extends throughshaft member12a, ultimately coupling toactivation assembly90. Further one or more wires, e.g.,wire224, extends from activation assembly90 (and/or electrosurgical cable210), ultimately coupling totissue sealing plates114 ofjaw members110, while another wire, e.g.,wire226, extends fromactivation assembly90 throughshaft member12aand outer ofshaft member12atowardsdistal end14athereof, ultimately coupling totissue sealing plate124 ofremovable component123 ofjaw member120.Wire226 may include an insulative coating, orsleeve228 disposed thereabout such thatwire226 is insulated when disposed externally ofshaft member12a. Further,shaft member12a(and/orshaft member12b) may include clips, grooves, or other suitable mechanisms (not explicitly shown) forrouting wire226 along the external surface(s) of shaft member(s)12a,12bsuch thatwire226 does not interfere with the use and operation offorceps10 and such thatwire226 does not catch or tangle during use offorceps10. As will be described below,disposable component123 ofjaw member120 is configured to engagejaw frame122 ofjaw member120 ofreusable shaft12b. As such, the user may selectively actuateactivation switch92 ofactivation assembly90 to supply energy totissue sealing plates114,124 ofjaw members110,120, respectively, for sealing tissue grasped therebetween.

Continuing with reference toFIG. 2, in conjunction withFIGS. 1A and 1B,shaft member12afurther includes aknife assembly180 disposed therein and atrigger assembly80 coupled thereto.Trigger assembly80 includes atrigger82 that is selectively translatable between first and second positions to advance knife blade182 (FIG. 3) from a retracted position, whereinknife blade182 is disposed withinshaft member12a, and an extended position, whereinknife blade182 extends betweenjaw members110,120 to cut tissue grasped therebetween. As shown inFIG. 2,trigger assembly80 includes agear mechanism84 biased bysprings86 for selectively translatingknife blade182 from the retracted position to the extended position upon movement oftrigger82 proximally from the first position to the second position.Springs86bias trigger82 distally toward the first position and, accordingly,bias knife blade182 toward the retracted position. However,other trigger assemblies80 and/orknife assemblies180 may also be provided for use in conjunction withshaft member12a, such as those disclosed in commonly-owned U.S. Pat. No. 7,131,970 to Moses et al.

One or both oftissue sealing plates114,124 ofjaw members110,120, respectively, may include a blade slot188 (FIGS. 2-3) defined therein and extending therethrough.Blade slot188 is configured to permit reciprocation ofknife blade182 therethrough.Blade slot188 may be defined completely within one of the jaw members, e.g.,jaw member120, or may be formed partially within each of thejaw members110,120 such thatblade slot188 is formed asjaw members110 and120 come together upon pivoting of thejaw members110 and120 to the closed position. Further, theblade slot188 may be configured to facilitate and/or enhance cutting of tissue during reciprocation of theknife blade182 therethrough.

Turning now toFIG. 3, in conjunction withFIGS. 1A and 1B,reusable shaft member12bis shown.Shaft member12bmay be formed form any suitable material, e.g., stainless steel, capable of being sterilized, e.g., placed in an autoclave (not shown), or otherwise prepared for reuse.Shaft member12bfurther includes anaperture162 defined therein and extending transversely therethrough towardsdistal end14bthereof that is configured to receivepivot pin150 therethrough for releasablycoupling shaft members12aand12bto one another.Shaft member12bmay define a partially or entirely solid interior configuration to achieve greater strength and/or may otherwise be configured for increased durability such thatshaft member12bcan be used repeatedly without significant wearing. As mentioned above,shaft member12bincludesjaw frame122 ofjaw member120 disposed atdistal end14bthereof.Jaw frame122 includes a pair ofapertures125 configured to receive snap-fit protrusions128 ofdisposable component123 for releasably securingdisposable component123 thereon, e.g., in snap-fit engagement therewith, although other releasable engagement configurations are contemplated.Disposable component123 includes electrically-conductivetissue sealing plate124 disposed about an insulative member (not explicitly shown). Snap-fit protrusions128 extend from the insulative member (not explicitly shown). Accordingly, whendisposable component123 is engaged tojaw frame122, the insulative member (not explicitly shown) is interdisposed betweentissue sealing plate124 andjaw frame122, insulatingjaw frame122 fromtissue sealing plate124. As mentioned above,tissue sealing plate124 ofdisposable component123 is coupled to the source of energy (not shown) via wire(s)226 such thatjaw member120, in conjunction withjaw member110 may be used to conduct energy through tissue grasped therebetween to seal tissue.

Reusable shaft member12bdefines a relatively simplified, strong, and durable configuration that facilitates sterilization and repeated use ofshaft member12b, whiledisposable shaft member12aincludesactivation assembly90,trigger assembly80,knife assembly180, and the various components and connections associated therewith. Including these various components withshaft member12aallows new components to be used for each surgical procedure, obviating the need to make these components sterilizable or configured for long-term repeated use. Further,tissue sealing plate114 ofjaw member110 ofdisposable shaft12a, andtissue sealing plate124 ofdisposable component123 ofjaw member120 are also configured as disposable components such that a new set oftissue sealing plates114,124 may be used for each procedure. Various configurations for releasably engagingdisposable shaft12aandreusable shaft12bto one another aboutpivot pin150 are described below. Each of these configurations facilitates disengagement ofshaft members12a,12bsuch thatshaft member12amay be discarded and such thatshaft member12bmay be sterilized for reuse and facilitates engagement ofshaft member12bwith anew shaft member12ain preparation for subsequent use.

Referring now toFIGS. 4A-4C,pivot pin150 is shown fixedly engaged throughshaft member12a.Pivot pin150 further includes ahub152 disposed atfirst end151 thereof and a pair ofadjacent legs154 disposed atsecond end153 thereof.Legs154 extend frompivot pin150 and define aliving hinge156 therewith. More specifically,legs154 are biased towards a spaced-apart position relative to one another, but are moveable against the bias of livinghinge156 toward an approximated position whereinlegs154 are abutting, or disposed in close relation relative to one another to facilitate insertion ofpivot pin150 throughaperture162 ofshaft member12b.Legs154 each further include an outwardly-extendingtab158 disposed at the free ends157 thereof.

Continuing with reference toFIGS. 4A-4C, in order to coupleshaft members12aand12bto one another,shaft members12a,12bare brought into approximation with one another such thatpivot pin150 is inserted throughaperture162 ofshaft member12b. More specifically,legs154 ofpivot pin150 and, thus,tabs158 thereof, are urged, or squeezed toward one another such thatpivot pin150 may be advanced throughaperture162 ofshaft member12b, as shown inFIG. 4B. Astabs158 extend fromaperture162 on the other side thereof,legs154 are permitted to return under the bias of livinghinge156 back toward the spaced-apart position. In this position, as shown inFIG. 4C,tabs158 extend radially outwardly fromaperture162 aboutshaft member12bto inhibit backing out ofpivot pin150, thus pivotably engagingshaft members12aand12bto one another, while still permittingshaft member12bto rotate aboutpivot pin150 and relative toshaft member12a. In order to disengageshaft member12bfromshaft member12aandpivot pin150,tabs158 are urged, or squeezed toward one another a sufficient distance such thatlegs154 may pass back throughaperture162 ofshaft member12b.

FIGS. 5A-5C show another embodiment of apivot pin250 similar to pivot pin150 (FIGS. 4A-4C) except thatpivot pin250 is releasably engagable with bothshaft member12aandshaft member12b. Further, as opposed to legs154 (FIGS. 4A-4C) of pivot pin150 (FIGS. 4A-4C), living-hinge legs254 ofpivot pin250 extend directly fromhub252 tofree ends257 thereof, i.e.,legs254 extend along the length ofpivot pin250, although either of pivot pins150,250 may be used in conjunction with the configurations ofFIGS. 4A-4C and 5A-5C.

In use,legs254 ofpivot pin250 and, thus,tabs258 thereof, are urged, or squeezed toward one another such thatpivot pin250 may be advanced throughaperture160 defined withinshaft member12aand aperture262 ofshaft member12b. Ultimately,pivot pin250 is advanced throughshaft members12a,12buntiltabs258 extend from aperture262 on the other side thereof. Once this position is achieved,legs254 are permitted to return under the bias of living hinge256 back toward the spaced-apart position. In this position, as shown inFIG. 5C,tabs258 extend radially outwardly from aperture262 aboutshaft member12bto inhibit backing out ofpivot pin250, whilehub252 ofpivot pin250 inhibits further advancement ofpivot pin250 through aperture260shaft member12a. Accordingly,shaft members12aand12bare pivotably engaged to one another, while still permittingshaft members12aand12bto rotate aboutpivot pin150 relative to one another.Pivot pin250 is disengaged fromshaft members12a,12bsimilarly as described above with respect to pivot pin150 (FIGS. 4A-4C).

Referring now toFIGS. 6A-6C, another configuration for engagingshaft members12a,12bto one another is shown. In this embodiment,pivot pin350 defines a key-like configuration having ahub352, anelongated member354 extending therefrom, and a pair ofopposed tabs358 extending radially outwardly fromelongated member354 atfree end356 thereof.Shaft members12a,12bdefineapertures360,362, respectively, extending transversely therethrough that are shaped complementarily to pivotpin350 such thatpivot pin350 may be inserted therethrough. More specifically,shaft members12a,12beach define a generally circular-shapedaperture360,362 having a pair of opposed recessedportions361,363, respectively, defined therein for receivingtabs358 ofpivot pin350 therethrough. However, as shown inFIG. 6C,apertures360,362 disposed onshaft members12a,12b, respectively, are offset approximately 90 degrees relative to one another. Accordingly,shaft members12a,12bmust be oriented substantially perpendicularly to one another (the unlocked position), as shown inFIG. 6B, such thatapertures360,362 are aligned with one another to permit insertion (or removal) ofpivot pin350 therethrough.

Referring now toFIGS. 6B-6C, and initially toFIG. 6B, in use,shaft members12a,12bare positioned substantially perpendicularly to one another such thatapertures360,362 are aligned with one another. In this unlocked position,pivot pin350 may be inserted throughapertures360,362. More specifically,tabs358 ofpivot pin350 are advanced through recessedportions361 ofaperture360 ofshaft member12aand through recessedportions363 ofaperture362 ofshaft member12bsuch thattabs358 extend fromaperture362 ofshaft member12bon the other side thereof. Oncepivot pin350 has been inserted throughshaft members12a,12b,shaft member12bmay be rotated aboutpivot pin350 and relative toshaft member12afrom the unlocked position to the locked position, e.g., the spaced-part position, the approximated position, or any position therebetween, as shown inFIG. 6C. In this locked position,shaft members12a,12bare locked in engagement with one another in thatpivot pin350 is inhibited from backing out ofaperture362 ofshaft member12bdue to the offset alignment oftabs358 relative to recessedportions363, and is inhibited from advancing further throughaperture361 ofshaft member12adue tohub352 thereof. However, in this locked position,shaft members12a,12bare still permitted to pivot aboutpivot pin350 and relative to one another between the spaced-apart position and the approximated position. As can be appreciated, in order to disengageshaft members12a,12bfrom one another,shaft members12a,12bare once again moved to the unlocked position, whereinshaft members12a,12bare positioned substantially perpendicularly relative to one another, thus allowingpivot pin350 to be removed therefrom. Accordingly,shaft member12bmay then be sterilized for reuse, whileshaft member12ais disposed of and anew shaft member12ais provided for coupling toshaft member12bin preparation for reuse.

With reference now toFIGS. 7A-7C, another configuration for engagingshaft members12a,12bto one another is shown that is substantially similar to the configuration shown inFIGS. 6A-6C except thatpivot pin450 is fixedly secured toshaft member12aand extends transversely therefrom. The engagement and disengagement ofshaft12aand12bis substantially similar as described above with respect toFIGS. 6A-6C and, thus, will only be summarized herein for purposes of brevity.

In use,shaft members12a,12bare positioned substantially perpendicularly to one another such thattabs458 ofpivot pin450 ofshaft member12aare aligned with recessedportions463 ofaperture462 ofshaft member12b. In this unlocked position,pivot pin450 may be advanced throughaperture462 to extend therefrom on the other side thereof. Once this position has been achieved,shaft member12bmay be rotated aboutpivot pin450 and relative toshaft member12afrom the unlocked position to the locked position. In this locked position,tabs458 ofpivot pin450 of shaft member12 are no longer aligned with recessedportions463 ofaperture462 ofshaft member12b, thereby lockingshaft members12a,12bin engagement with one another while still permittingshaft member12bto be pivoted aboutpivot pin450 and relative toshaft member12abetween the spaced-apart position and the approximated position. Disengagement ofshaft members12a,12b, on the other hand, is accomplished by returningshaft member12bto the substantially perpendicular position relative toshaft member12asuch thatpivot pin450 may be translated back throughaperture462.

From the foregoing and with reference to the various figure drawings, those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain modifications can also be made to the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the same. While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in the drawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.

Claims (18)

What is claimed is:

1. A disposable assembly for a surgical forceps, comprising:

an elongated housing including a first jaw frame extending distally therefrom, the elongated housing configured for selective replacement with respect to a shaft member having a second jaw frame extending distally therefrom to form a surgical forceps;

a first electrically-conductive plate integrally associated with the first jaw frame;

at least one first wire extending through the elongated housing and electrically coupled to the first electrically-conductive plate to enable energy to be supplied thereto;

a second electrically-conductive plate configured to selectively engage the second jaw frame of the shaft member; and

at least one second wire extending through the elongated housing and electrically coupled to the second electrically-conductive plate to both permanently couple the second electrically-conductive plate with the elongated housing and enable energy to be supplied thereto.

2. The disposable assembly according toclaim 1, further including an insulative sleeve extending between the elongated housing and the second electrically-conductive plate, the insulative sleeve disposed about the at least one second wire.

3. The disposable assembly according toclaim 1, further including an activation switch disposed on the elongated housing, the activation switch electrically coupled to at least one of the at least one first wire or the at least one second wire and selectively actuatable for supplying energy to at least one of the first or second electrically-conductive plate.

4. The disposable assembly according toclaim 1, further including an electrical cable extending proximally from the elongated housing, the electrical cable adapted to connect to a source of energy for supply energy to at least one of the at least one first wire or the at least one second wire.

5. The disposable assembly according toclaim 1, further including a knife assembly disposed within the elongated housing, the knife assembly including a knife blade translatable between a retracted position and extended position.

6. The disposable assembly according toclaim 5, further including a trigger operably disposed on the elongated housing and coupled to the knife assembly, the trigger selectively actuatable for translating the knife blade between the retracted position and the extended position.

7. The disposable assembly according toclaim 1, further including an insulative component having the second electrically-conductive plate disposed thereon, the insulative component configured to electrically insulate the second electrically-conductive plate from the second jaw frame when the second electrically-conductive plate is engaged therewith.

8. The disposable assembly according toclaim 1, wherein the elongated housing includes an integral pivot member, the integral pivot member configured for operably coupling the elongated housing with the shaft member to form the surgical forceps.

9. The disposable assembly according toclaim 1, wherein the elongated housing defines an aperture, the aperture configured to receive a pivot pin for operably coupling the elongated housing with the shaft member to form the surgical forceps.

10. A surgical forceps, comprising:

a shaft member having a jaw frame extending distally therefrom; and

a disposable assembly, including:

an elongated housing including a jaw frame extending distally therefrom, the elongated housing configured for selective engagement with the shaft member;

a first electrically-conductive plate permanently engaged with the jaw frame of the disposable assembly;

at least one first wire extending through the elongated housing and electrically coupled to the first electrically-conductive plate to enable energy to be supplied thereto;

a second electrically-conductive plate configured for selective engagement with the jaw frame of the shaft member; and

at least one second wire extending through the elongated housing and electrically coupled to the second electrically-conductive plate to both permanently couple the second electrically-conductive plate with the elongated housing and enable energy to be supplied thereto.

11. The surgical forceps according toclaim 10, further including an insulative sleeve extending between the elongated housing and the second electrically-conductive plate, the insulative sleeve disposed about the at least one second wire.

12. The surgical forceps according toclaim 10, further including an activation switch disposed on the elongated housing, the activation switch electrically coupled to at least one of the at least one first wire or the at least one second wire and selectively actuatable for supplying energy to at least one of the first or second electrically-conductive plate.

13. The surgical forceps according toclaim 10, further including an electrical cable extending proximally from the elongated housing, the electrical cable adapted to connect to a source of energy for supply energy to at least one of the at least one first wire or the at least one second wire.

14. The surgical forceps according toclaim 10, further including a knife assembly disposed within the elongated housing, the knife assembly including a knife blade translatable between a retracted position and extended position.

15. The surgical forceps according toclaim 14, further including a trigger operably disposed on the elongated housing and coupled to the knife assembly, the trigger selectively actuatable for translating the knife blade between the retracted position and the extended position.

16. The surgical forceps according toclaim 10, further including an insulative component having the second electrically-conductive plate disposed thereon, the insulative component configured to electrically insulate the second electrically-conductive plate from the jaw frame of the shaft member when the second electrically-conductive plate is engaged therewith.

17. The surgical forceps according toclaim 10, wherein the elongated housing includes an integral pivot member and the shaft member includes a corresponding aperture, the integral pivot member configured for engagement within the corresponding aperture for operably coupling the elongated housing with the shaft member.

18. The surgical forceps according toclaim 10, wherein the elongated housing and the shaft member each define an aperture, the apertures configured to receive a pivot pin for operably coupling the elongated housing with the shaft member.

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